LABORATORY SAFETY MANUAL

Site Map of Manual

Lab Safety Manual
1st Page

Chapter 1
Emergency Response

Chapter 2
General Safety

Chapter 3
Chemical Hygiene Plan

Chapter 4
Radiological Safety

Chapter 5
Biological Hygiene Plan

Chapter 6
Laser Safety

Chapter 7
Administrative Concerns

Chapter 8
Standard & Special Operating Procedures

Chapter 9
Facility Data

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Appendicies

Bibliography

Glossary

Index

On-Campus Contact Information

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1st Rule of Lab Safety

Haz-Waste No-No

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Updated December 1999

General Safety
Section 2.2 - Safety Equipment

Workers in a laboratory environment are surrounded by physical and chemical hazards, and the potential for accident and injury is always present. Adequate safety equipment in good working order shall be provided to prevent accidents and injury.

A. Fire Extinguishers

OSU Environmental Health & Safety is responsible for the procurement, placement, inspection, and maintenance of all fire extinguishers on campus.

1. Laboratory personnel should be adequately trained regarding pertinent fire hazards associated with their work. (See Section 7.1 - "Training")

2. Fire extinguishers must be clearly labeled to indicate the types of fire they are designed to extinguish. The following codes as presented in NFPA 10 "Portable Fire Extinguishers" are:

   • Class A-fires in ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.
   • Class B-fires in flammable liquids, oils, greases, tars, oil-base paints, lacquers and flammable gases.
   • Class C-fires that involve energized electrical equipment where the electrical conductivity of the extinguishing medium is of importance; when electrical equipment is de-energized, extinguishers for class A or B fires may be safely used.

   • Class D-Fires of combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium.

3. Fire extinguishers of the "Halon" type are specially designed so they leave no residue that could damage instruments or computers. (However, the area should be thoroughly ventilated before being reoccupied.)

4. Fire extinguishers should never be concealed from general view or blocked from access.

5. OSU Environmental Health & Safety will install all fire extinguishers. Once a fire extinguisher has been installed, EHS will inspect and maintain the device.

6. If an employee notices a fire extinguisher discharged or not fully charged, an extinguisher with the safety pin pulled out, an extinguisher obstructed from view, or one not hanging in its proper location, please notify Environmental Health & Safety at 744-7241.

B. Safety Showers

If all protective measures fail and an employee receives a chemical splash to their body, then safety showers should be provided throughout the laboratory for immediate and thorough washing of the body.

1. Employees should familiarize themselves with the location of the nearest safety shower.

2. Employees should be familiar with the operation of the safety showers.

3. Safety showers are designed to flood the entire body in the event of a clothing fire or a major spill of a chemical. In either case, an employee should simply stand under the shower and activate the shower. Flood the affected area for a minimum of 15 to 30 minutes.

4. In the case of a corrosive liquid spill, the employee should remove the affected portion of clothing to reduce potential contact. Removal of clothing should be done while the individual is under the activated shower.

5. The departmental chemical hygiene officer or laboratory supervisor should be notified as soon as possible if the employee required the use of the safety shower.

6. Safety showers are tested annually by Environmental Health & Safety.

C. Eyewash Fountains

If all protective measures fail and an employee receives a chemical splash to their eyes, then eye wash fountains should be provided throughout the laboratory for immediate and thorough washing of the eyes.

1. Employees should familiarize themselves with the location and operation of the nearest eyewash fountain.

2. It is recommended that contact lenses not be permitted in the laboratory. (What to do if the person is wearing contact lenses.).

3. Always flood the eyes for at least 15 to 30 minutes to be sure there is no residue of the corrosive liquid. Flush from the eye outward.

4. After thorough washing, the proper authorities should be notified and subsequent medical care for the employee should be seriously considered. This is because serious damage may have already occurred before the eye was thoroughly rinsed and/or the damage may not be immediately apparent.

5. Eyewash fountains should be tested weekly by laboratories for proper operation and to prevent formation of bacteria.

6. Eyewash fountains are checked annually, by Environmental Health & Safety, for proper location and operational status.